As the nation’s only Arctic state, Alaska faces unique circumstances and environmental conditions unlike anywhere else in the United States. Faculty and students at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) continue to drive research that tackles important areas of cold climate scientific studies aimed at understanding and solving critical regional environmental, biological and geophysical challenges.

To celebrate this work, UAA will host the 2025 ConocoPhillips Arctic Science and Engineering Endowment Symposium on March 20, 2025, from 3-6 p.m. at the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building on the Anchorage campus. 

The symposium aims to highlight projects and research made possible through support from the ConocoPhillips Arctic Science and Engineering Endowment, the largest endowment in the University of Alaska system, established in 2008 through a $15 million gift from ConocoPhillips Alaska. The symposium presents a unique opportunity to learn more about the innovative research being conducted at UAA while connecting with leaders and experts in the industry.  

The event program is highlighted by keynote presentations from mechanical engineering professor Raghu Srinivasan and biological sciences professor Amy Bishop. Following the keynotes, the 2025 award recipients will be introduced and honored. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend a UAA planetarium demonstration.

About the endowment

Through the ConocoPhillips Arctic Science and Engineering Endowment Awards, the university awarded more than $500,000 in support to fund exploratory research projects and promote student participation in research. 

"The ConocoPhillips Arctic Science and Engineering Endowment continues to build momentum and drive innovation at UAA,” said Dr. Aaron Dotson, UAA vice chancellor for research. “This year's awards support groundbreaking research in the study of earthquake hazards, genomics of arctic birds, cold climate corrosion and peatland carbon storage. These projects not only expand scientific understanding but also strengthen our state's workforce and generate knowledge that will provide direct future benefit for Alaska's communities." 

Selected projects must promote and grow the fields of Arctic science and engineering, demonstrate a likelihood of major scientific or engineering impact and strongly connect to community and industry. Programs, research and activities inclusive of Alaska students, communities, projects and opportunities are given priority. 

Created in 2008 as part of a $15 million gift from ConocoPhillips Alaska, the endowment provides annual support to Arctic science and engineering programs and research at UAA and is the largest endowment in the University of Alaska system. Including projects awarded in 2024, there have been 57 projects totaling $4,814,569 funded by the ConocoPhillips Arctic Science and Engineering endowment. 

The winning projects for fiscal year 2024 include: 

• Earthquake Hazard in Southcentral Alaska posed by the Castle Mountain Fault (Dr. Nicolas Harrichhausen)
• Corrosion Damage Evaluation of Automobile Underbody due to De-Icing Salt-Induced Stone/Gravel Impingement (Dr. Raghu Srinivasan) 
• Fuel to Burn: Peatland Carbon Wildfire Vulnerability Assessment (Dr. Eric Klein)
• The Evolution of Beringian Biodiversity: Using Geonomics to Reveal the History of Songbirds on St. Paul Island, AK (Dr. Jess McLaughlin)
• Beneficial Energy Transition in Alaska Fishing Fleet: Development of a UAA Laboratory Shipboard Microgrid Testbed (Dr. Mohammad Heidari)